The search for Syracuse University’s Class of 2013 commencement speaker process kicks off on schedule with the launch of the official commencement website.

Suggestions for the 2013 commencement speaker are being taken on the website. Senior class and student marshals from each college as well as student representatives from the SU Board of Trustees will narrow down the list to about 40 recommendations, said Susan Germain, executive director of special events at SU.

Nominations can be submitted by current students, alumni, faculty and members of the SU community. All recommendations are considered, but those that meet the desired criteria include people with outstanding achievements and an effect on the lives of others, according to the website.

The student committee meets four times to discuss the potential speaker without administrative input. Chancellor Nancy Cantor is given the final list at the end of April and will release the final decision in February 2013, Germain said.

In recent years students have criticized Cantor’s choice in speakers, specifically Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co. who some students speculated was not on the student-approved list, Germain said.

‘The Chancellor always, always, has taken names from the list,’ Germain said. ‘She is open to all ideas.’

Germain said many colleges across the country have no student involvement in the process of choosing commencement speakers. SU believes commencement should be representative of the student body, she said.

For David Kopel, a junior physics major, what speakers bring to the university in their speeches is more important than their expertise.

‘The specific field really isn’t as important as the total contribution,’ Kopel said.

Unlike many colleges who feature their own chancellors or presidents, SU attracts speakers from a variety of backgrounds, such as former President Bill Clinton, musician Billy Joel, journalist Bob Woodruff and Vice President Joe Biden.

Scheduling conflicts can be challenging, but Germain said high-profile speakers have accepted the invitation to speak at commencement before. Biden’s acceptance to speak at the 2009 commencement, during the beginning of his first term as vice president, is an example of this, she said.

Germain said 99 percent of the nominations have the potential to be viable candidates.

‘It’s a really great process that is student-driven,’ Germain said. ‘I’m really proud of it.’

jbundy@syr.edu

Published on December 6, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Jen: jbundy@syr.edu